..You're my honeysuckle...?

         
   

After Vikram left the room, I received a call from Mama on the phone Varun had given me.

Mama: Mona… Maaa, how are you? Is everything fine there?

Me: Hello, Mama. Hmm… Everything is fine. How are you doing? I saw you were injured. I’m so sorry for everything, Mama.

Mama: Hey, Mona, I’m the one who should be sorry in the first place. If I had been there at the right time, we might not have witnessed such a disaster. Anyway, I’ll be there in two hours to pick you up, Mona… Don’t worry, raa.

I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad after hearing this—happy because I was going to see Mama, but sad because I had only two hours left with Vikram. After those two hours, our paths would separate, leading in opposite directions.

I didn’t know how I’d endure those two years without him. Even after two years, I wasn’t sure we’d meet again. And if we did meet, there was no guarantee he’d love me. The thought of not being loved by him was killing me.

“Mona… Mona…” Nithya’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She entered the room. I got up from the chair and walked toward her.

“You look stunning, Mona!” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. She grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the room in a hurry.

Me: What? Where are you taking me? Wait a second, Nithya…

Nithya: Hurry, Mona. Mom wants to see you.
She smiled brightly.

Me: But… I… Look at me! This is embarrassing.

Nithya: No, Mona. If you meet my mom like this, she’ll definitely be impressed.

Me: But…

She stopped near the entrance, gave me a reassuring look, and said, “Let’s go in; it’s late.”

Me: Listen to me, Nithya…

Nithya: Everyone’s waiting. Don’t worry. Just follow me.

We stepped into the hall, where a group of people stood at the center. A lady stood beside Laxmi Amma—likely Nithya’s mother. She looked elegant and pleasant.

Laxmi Amma smiled brightly and called out, “Hey, Mona! We were waiting for you, maa. Come here.”

I smiled and stepped forward, stopping behind a man standing in front of the lady. Varun and Mallika were also there.

The lady beside Laxmi Amma turned to me and gave me a warm smile. The man in front of her, noticing her expression, slightly turned back. It was Vikram. He looked incredibly handsome in his traditional attire. My heart skipped a beat.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me to stand beside him.

Vikram: Mom, this is Mona.

His Mom: Hi, maa.

She held my hand gently, her touch soft and comforting. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled.

“You’re even more beautiful than I imagined—simply stunning, as my son described,” she said, chuckling.

“When he was telling me about you, you should’ve seen his face and expressions. I became so curious to meet you,” she added, turning to Vikram.

Vikram: Mom, stop it.

His cheeks turned a faint pink.

I gave him a quick glance and smiled. He avoided my gaze, looking slightly embarrassed.